Late to the party, but...

Hey folks. I know, I know, I'm just finishing Shadow and only in the middle of 101, but I just have this to say. Is anyone else very mildly annoyed with the letter at the end? I feel like the resolution of the entire novel was just dumped in, like Zafon was unsure of how to tie up loose ends. After such astounding writing and beautiful language and intoxicating stories, I just felt kind of...dumped. I felt like someone broke up with me. Dumb parallel, but bear with me. If you've ever been dumped, have you ever felt like, "Seriously, you can't just end something with so much invested so quickly."
That is really my only complaint about an otherwise STUNNING and beautiful novel.

Best...

Megan

Favorite Inclusions of the Most Influential People Who Never Lived

So far I am most in love with Prince Charming description in The 101 Most Influential People Who Never Lived.  What "character" inclusions have been your favorite so far and why?

Jaclyn's "Shadow of the Wind" Review

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Shadow of the Wind” is a love letter to all book lovers.  A young boy named Daniel is given charge of a book – a book that he is to keep safe and to be responsible for during the rest of his life.  The book that he chooses to take charge of naturally throws him into the path of danger and mystery that will alter everything he has ever understood about life, literature, and those that create the words on the pages we love so much. 

Towards the beginning of the book after the characters have been established and the conflict introduced, Daniel, now in his later teens, describes the book also entitled “The Shadow of the Wind” he is responsible for and how it has impacted his life since coming into possession of it.” He says, “This is a story about books….about accursed books, about the man who wrote them, about a character who broke out of the pages of a novel so that he could burn it, about a betrayal, and a lost friendship. It’s a story of love, of hatred, and of the dreams that live in the shadow of the wind (178).” 

“The Shadow of the Wind” written by Carlos Ruiz Zafon would be a great book based on plot and characterization alone.  However, it is the language – its majestic rise and fall, its masterful ability to convey emotion or scenery – that won me over.  What makes the language even more incredible is that this is a translation of a Spanish book.  Lucia Graves, daughter of the famous English poet Robert Graves, deserves acknowledgement for her uncanny talent for crafting words that were not originally her own.

“Shadow of the Wind” is not a book meant to be sampled in small portions.  It is a book that is meant to be devoured and to be appreciated for its complexity and also its simple telling of the universal truths we find in life, in literature, and in each other.  Read it. You will not be disappointed.

{We'd love to include your reviews of the books we read as well.  Please send them to pickwickreaders@gmail.com!}

January Pickwick Book

Happy New Year!  We are reading 101 Most Influential People Who Never Lived by Allan Lazar, Dan Karlan, & Jeremy Salter for our January book.

 

Photo taken from Amazon.com.

I have barely started, but am really liking it already. Anna and I already debated Barbie and her influence on women.  Meg and I talked about who was included and which people we are most excited to read about.  I keep talking about the Prince Charming section to anyone who will listen (don't judge me - it's a funny section.) And just in case you were wondering, the book makes for excellent dinner party conversation.

Happy Reading!

Jaclyn

ps. This does not mean that our discussion of  Shadow of the Wind is over.  That's the beauty of doing an online book club - no set deadlines.  If you're not finished, no worries.  When you do finish, we look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Gems

I felt like this book had so many great one-liners in it. I underlined some of the things that struck me, but I am sure there are many I just skipped over without even realizing it. Here are a few of my favorites:

-Nuria writes "Of all the things that Julian wrote, the one I have always felt closest to my heart is that so long as we are being remembered, we remain alive." (p. 446) I have heard this idea before, but every time I re-think about it, I am reminded how true it is!

-Also from Nuria, "Julian had once told me that a story is a letter the author writes to himself, to tell himself things that he would be unable to discover otherwise." (p.444) This reminds me of the importance of writing! I honestly feel like I have just been discovering the truth of Julian's word in my own life recently.

-Barcelo noted to Daniel, "Fools talk, cowards are silent, wise men listen." (p. 291)

What little gems did you find?

Title?

Alright, let's get some discussion going friends. I know there are a few of you who have actually read and finished this book. I want to talk about it! My first question is, what do you think the title of the book means? Why do you think Zafon called it The Shadow of the Wind? I honestly haven't decided what I think about it, so this really is a question I am wanting to hear what you all think...

-Anna